Co-infection of pulmonary tuberculosis and Covid-19

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Tuberculosis remains a serious public health disease worldwide, but so far there is limited information on co-infection of pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19. <bold>Aim:</bold> To determine the features of clinical manifestations in patients with co-infections of pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 and identify associated factors. <bold>Materials and methods:</bold> Upon admission to the tuberculosis hospital, all patients were tested for COVID-19. COVID-19 diagnosis was based on the results of real-time RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swabs. The diagnosis of pulmonary TB based on a positive sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli and positive culture from sputum sample in all patients. <bold>Results:</bold> Among 343 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis treated during 2020 in the therapeutic department of the NTRI COVID-19 was detected in 21 patients. One patient was identified in June 2020, 20 patients in October and November 2020. Males 19 (91 %), median age 39 (21-63) yrs. In all patients, a mild severity of COVID-19 was detected. One patient (4.8 %) had heart disease, COPD – 3 (14.3 %), HIV – 2 (9.5 %), viral hepatitis C – 7 (33 %), diabetes mellitus – 1 (4.8 %). Only one patient had symptoms of cough and fever. None of patients reported loss of smell or taste. Factors associated with TB and Covid-19 comorbidity were identified: males OR = 1.63 (1.02 - 2,65), age over 50 years OR = 4,15 (1.36-11.92), chronic course of tuberculosis OR =2.2 (1.08 - 5,67), cavitation in the lung OR =2.17 (1.33 - 3,54), anemia OR =1.74 (1.09-2.79). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> TB and COVID-19 are respiratory diseases that primarily affect the lungs, their mutual influence and long-term consequences of comorbidity need further study.